Personalizing the appearance and improving the driving experience of your auto is one of the great pleasures of owning your own car, SUV or truck. There are so many different auto accessories out there on the market it can be tricky to narrow down which ones you might want to consider getting to improve your vehicle. The following 10 accessories are those which we consider really are the “must haves”:

1) Floor Mats – It really is pretty ridiculous that an item so basic as a floor mat is an optional extra on many new cars. If you want to protect the interior of your automobile and prolong the life of the cabin’s upholstery then floor mats are an essential and worthwhile investment. Floor mats can be easily picked up from just about every auto accessory shop and even in many supermarkets.

2) Auto Covers – The last thing you want to happen to your pride and joy is for its shiny paintwork to get damaged by the elements, falling objects, or even bird droppings. By using an auto cover you can give your vehicle the protection it needs from the harsh summer sun, heavy rain and hail, corrosive bird droppings and destructive objects falling from trees or blown by the wind.

3) Cargo Liners – Like floor mats for the passenger compartment of vehicles, cargo liners are also a great accessory for keeping the trunk clean and tidy. If you are often putting dirty boots or tools in the trunk of your vehicle, for example, then a cargo liner will keep all that filth off the lining material as well as protecting against any scratches and dents.

4) Brake Dust Shields – With modern vehicles getting more and more powerful and having larger brakes, the amount of brake dust produced is increasing. Using brake dust shields on the insides of your wheels helps to prevent the dust from gathering on your shiny alloy rims, making keeping your auto clean much easier.

5) Car Bras – Bumpers on modern cars are often made from plastic which might look good but isn’t able to put off with much abuse caused by stones, grit and other street debris. A car bra is a specially made protector that wraps around the bumper to shield against flying stones, insects and other debris that can cause damaging stone chips and dents.

6) Fender Flares – Travelling at speed on country roads or rarely used streets can lead to gravel, rocks and other objects flinging up and striking the paintwork of your vehicle. By fitting fender flares you can greatly reduce the amount of debris that can reach your auto’s exterior. For most cars it is possible to find fender flares that match the original color and finish.

7) Mud Flaps – Further protection can be provided by the use of mud flaps which also prevent the dirty water spray containing all manner of pollutants and oil from reaching your car’s paintwork.

8) Heated Seats – Driving a car throughout the long winter months without heated seats can be somewhat torturous, especially when first entering the vehicle. Heated seats can make a journey in cold weather 10 times more pleasurable.

9) iPod / iPhone / MP3 Docks – Tape cassettes and even now CDs are getting very long in the tooth. Why not make use of your iPod or MP3 player in your vehicle and invest in a dock that allows you to listen to your tunes through your car speakers. Many docks also double up as a hand-free system; much safer than talking on the phone normally.

10) Bug Shields – These are an absolute must have, particularly in the South where insects are even more prevalent. A good bug shield made specifically for your model of car or truck can do wonders in limiting the amount of insects and other debris hitting your windshield and hood. Bug shields not only help to keep your car clean, but are also a useful safety accessory helping to maintain good visibility.

Everyone is trying to save money these days and trying to curb any major purchases like cars. Not creating extra expenses is the name of the game especially when it comes to vehicles. Payments can jump for not much of a car in many cases. That is why it is important to learn to find discount auto accessories.

It also helps even if you are auto repair challenged, to keep a small tool kit in the car. A pliers, screwdriver, a set of jumper cables and some fuses plus a small wrench set can get you out of a lot of jams. Even if you don’t know what to do with the tools, there may be someone around that knows what to do with the tools. Many cars are now operated as much by computer as anything else, but if your battery goes dead, having a set of jumper cables can get you on the road sooner. Make sure your tool set is what you need either inches or metric. Check to make sure you have the correct type for your particular vehicle.

The discount auto accessories industry is very competitive and there is a healthy secondary market. You can check out the local salvage yard or auto parts shop but if you need something major like a radiator, there are entire networks of salvage yards and garages that you can post what you need and they will find it for you. Then you can decide on the best deal and then the part is delivered to your door. In most cases, it is at least as cheap as having to find and remove the part yourself at some obscure salvage yard and not have the right tools. It’s a lot less messy and the part is torn up before you get it.

To make the most out of discount auto accessories, it is probably wise to get a complete manual for your vehicle. No, not that hokey booklet that passes for a manual that comes with the car, but a detailed manual that has parts, fittings, etc. This will help you get the right part yourself without having to go to a dealership and pay full retail. Sometimes you can get the part and then find someone who can put the part in. In many cases however, you will have to get a code reader and hook it to your car if you need to figure out why a certain light is on and what can be done to fix the problem.

There is a big market out there and a thousand and one ways to reach out to them. But where does one start? Short of coming out with an expensive billboard that might not give you the immediate results, what other options are there?

One of the easiest ways to build your consumer base is to have your brand seen in public places and transportation such as buses, trains, and cabs is through inexpensive custom auto accessories like bumper stickers and decals. Many guerrilla marketers and small independent brands working with limited budgets have found success with these cheap promotional items, which have become trustworthy marketing materials. Another way to reach out to an audience that is always on the move is through accessories like shades, door signs, license plate holders, and antenna balls. Diminutive they may be, but these custom auto accessories are the kind of objects that will get your brand seen not just by your recipients but every commuter they pass.

It also helps to get your logo in the hands of the people you want to reach. Some pocket-friendly accessories like plastic and metal key chains are inexpensive ways to be seen up close. Unlike other custom auto accessories like shades, door signs, stickers, and decals that offer fleeting images, getting your logo in the line of vision of your market will help you build stronger brand recall. For a more specific audience like auto enthusiasts, accessories like flashlights, toolkits and safety products are good ways to be around. Car dealers, gasoline stations, and automotive repair shops can promote their services through custom auto accessories like promotional tire pressures, utility kits, Swiss army knives, air fresheners, and car care sets.

For other practical giveaways that will people will use over and over, travel mugs and CD holders are useful gifts that will give you much logo exposure. These are more expensive than most auto accessories, and are highly recommended corporate gifts for regular clients.

So keep your promotion on high speed. There’s a wide range of auto accessories you can add your logo to.